Service sides serve up a treble
Date published: 27 May 2009
Rugby
OLDHAM’S Service Area sides secured a trio of wins against Lancashire in the final round of games.
The under-12s made it two wins out of three, winning 16-6 away at Chorley.
After keeping the home side at bay with strong defence, loose forward Billy McDermott produced a surging run to score and give Oldham a 4-0 half-time lead.
Stepping up a gear after the break as the hosts tired, Oldham went further ahead when Harry Godferry’s try was converted by Adam Wells. Not long after, from a set play deep inside Oldham territory fast hands enabled Ryan Lynch to go three-quarters the length of the field and touch down under the posts, Jack Brocklehurst converting.
Tenacious defence by the visitors kept Lancashire from scoring until the final two minutes, but the end result was deserved for a side which has improved week-on-week.
Oldham’s under-15s, meanwhile, played at the main Saddleworth Rangers ground and it soon became apparent that it suited the side’s open and expansive style.
A low completion rate led to a slow start for the home team but good defence held Lancashire at bay on numerous occasions.
But as Oldham began to keep hold of the ball and gain good field position, the extra class started to shine through and the team eventually ran out 52-16 winners.
Tries came from Jarrod Ward (three), Danny Yates (two), Nathan Mason (two), Kyle Mayall and Jake Shoel, with Ben Whitehead converting all but one.
Oldham’s under-14s, playing away from home, beat Lancashire 24-14.
Other scores — Under-nines: Saddleworth Rangers seven tries (Nathan Roebuck 4, Josh Molloy 3), Leigh Miners Rangers five tries. Under-eights: Newton Storm three tries, Saddleworth Rangers three tries (Ben Forster, Josh Yarwood, Adam Howarth).
